On Feb. 1, Associated Bank announced a $15,000 gift to support the renovation and expansion of the Prairie du Chien Library. Ground breaking for the project occurred on Oct. 16, 2017, and construction is well underway with completion scheduled for late 2018.

“Fundraising continues for the project and Associated Bank’s generous donation moves the library that much closer to its goal,” said City Administrator Chad Abram.

Local citizens, businesses, industries and institutions have so far pledged more than $1.3 million toward the project, which will more than double the library’s size as well as expand its resources and programs.

“We recently celebrated 100 years of having a public library,” said Linda Munson, president of the Library Board. “With a library only half the size necessary for its holdings and usage, it was time to grow.”

“Since its inception, Associated Bank has had a rich tradition of providing superior financial services to the communities in which we do business. As an extension of that commitment, Associated is dedicated to strengthening our communities through focused corporate giving and employee volunteer efforts that help our friends, our colleagues and our neighbors,” said Jennifer Kaminski, vice president, public relations senior manager, Associated Bank.

The library is located in Prairie du Chien’s historic downtown.

“The library is an essential amenity bringing people to the downtown and supporting the city’s economic and community development efforts to attract employers and employees to the area. Associated Bank’s substantial contribution emphasizes the library’s role in these efforts and helps leverage the incredible skills, generosity, knowledge and experience for our local citizens to create and sustain economic opportunity,” said Prairie du Chien Mayor Dave Hemmer.